The Nigeria Customs Service has confiscated 500 jerry cans (25 litres each) and two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, at several smuggling hotspots along the Babana border axis in Niger State.
The seizure, valued at over ₦25.9 million in duty-paid terms, was announced during a press briefing on Wednesday at the Nigeria Customs Niger-Kogi Command headquarters in Minna.
According to the Customs, the smuggled fuel was discovered concealed in vehicles and containers along several notorious routes, including Kabe-Tunga-Madugu Road, Kabe-Kibera Road, Dekara-Gedang-Zana Road, and Babana-Gwarizo Road.
Speaking at the briefing, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, who also doubles as the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind—a special task force against PMS smuggling—warned that petrol smuggling poses serious threats to national security and the economy.
“Smuggling petroleum products out of Nigeria undermines government efforts, fuels insecurity, and constitutes a major form of economic sabotage,” Ejibunu said.
“Smuggling of PMS is detrimental to the survival of Nigeria. It has economic and security disadvantages as well. It will interest you to note that most of those bandits attacking us, how do they get food, is through this means. And now it is prudence equally to believe and allow such a quantum of fuel to go outside Nigeria to go into their hands.
“It means we are fueling our traducers, giving them more power and energy to come in to attack us. It is important to note that as Nigerians, it is our responsibility when you see something, you say something. Do not allow this to continue because a lot of people within Nigeria are looking for this product, and they may not even get it.”
He noted that the seized fuel was being prepared for illegal export and stressed that the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and community support.
“This is the first time such a large seizure is happening in Niger State, and it sends a clear message that we are serious about stopping this menace,” he added.
Ejibunu said that no suspect was arrested as the suspects ran away and left the smuggled products when they discovered that they were being pursued, “I would have loved a situation where someone is arrested and we bring him to justice. I want our officers to know that their job is incomplete if they do not bring in a suspect. Suspect is germane and critical towards establishing the ways and manner in which these smuggled products are being taken to and who is receiving them.”
He attributed the continuous smuggling of PMS outside the country to greed, declaring that it is stealing and daylight robbery.
“Our refineries are working now, but people still take out our fuel and sell it to people in other countries. Our PMS is for in-house consumption and not for export. Anyone who wants to export it should pass through the due process”, he said.
He disclosed that the operation also received support from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which provided technical and regulatory guidance.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller of the Niger-Kogi Command, Pascal Chibuoke, highlighted the dedication of officers on the ground and appealed for more operational support, such as patrol vehicles and communication tools, especially with the increasing presence of terrorist groups around Babana.
“This seizure demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies and communities work together. With continued support and proper logistics, we can reduce this problem to the barest minimum,” he said.
The seized PMS was announced for public auction as the National Coordinator of Operation Wild Wind Nationwide declared that it would be sold at N10,000 per jerry can.
